Elfyn Evans: “It’s so hard to win in the WRC”

In what state of mind did you finish the 2018 season?

It was very difficult. If we missed opportunities in Turkey or Wales, the results did not meet my expectations, nor those of the team. This didn't necessarily show, but I was still able to retain some positive elements. When the feeling was good, we performed well and I focused on that to face the uncertainty surrounding 2019.

With such a late decision, did you have any doubts? Did you have a plan B?

I wasn't the only one left without a steering wheel, so there was always the possibility that someone else would be chosen. For budget reasons, the team had to go to two cars, but it was also possible that there would only be one entry. Besides, all the teams had already made their choice... It wasn't a very fun time, especially since I had absolutely nothing else in the way of plans!

We've just about come to terms with last weekend's disappointments, so let's celebrate the positives with an onboard from SS13 where @ElfynEvans and @scottmartinat were untouchable on the @TourdeCorseWRC asphalt #WRCLive #FordPerformance pic.twitter.com/zLGlv92ULw

— M-Sport (@MSportLtd) April 4th

Once confirmed, were you vengeful? Did you want to show the “real Elfyn” in 2019?

(Laughing) Not really. I mainly focused on what had worked well to try to correct what had not worked. Among the changes I made was the arrival of Scott Martin at my side. Together we just try to be the best we can be. I didn't feel the need to change the way I prepared for rallies. The biggest change comes from the settings.

That's to say ?

By working with the engineers at the start of the season, we defined a set-up that suits me particularly well. However, the changes compared to 2018 are not gigantic. The car I had in Corsica was not very far from the one in Catalonia 2018.

#WRC | Get a feel for the challenging conditions faced by the @MSportLtd Ford World Rally Team #RallyArgentina today. The action resumes tomorrow when the team will continue to push for a strong result with the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC #FordPerformance pic.twitter.com/ah24iY0W90

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) April 26th

Are your results better?

Certainly the way we manage to tune the Fiesta suits my style better. It gives me confidence. It's primordial. It's amazing how much improvement this brings in terms of speed and consistency. The level is so high, the margins are so tiny that a small change can create big differences and we go from bad places to podiums.

Did you quickly manage to put the disappointment of the Tour de Corse aside?

It's so difficult to win a round of the world championship! When you fail just a few kilometers away, it's very, very hard to take ! I needed two or three days. I felt guilty for not having done good reconnaissance... but it's useless! We can't go back. However, it must be used later.

In which next event(s) do you think you will be able to play the leading roles again?

Impossible to answer. Each race is different, (…) then there will be Chile, which everyone will discover. I have no problem composing effective notes on new routes as was the case in Corsica. Some compare Chile's journey to that of Wales. If the weather is the same...